Doris O. (Humphrey) Mainprize

Doris Olive Mainprize, age 88, of Houghton Lake passed away peacefully on Tuesday September 27, 2022 at home surrounded by her loving family.

Doris was born on March 2, 1934 in South Branch, Michigan to James and Florence (Burr) Humphrey. She was the youngest of eleven children. She was married on July 27, 1952 in Houghton Lake to Donald Charles Mainprize. Doris was the church organist at various local churches beginning in her teenage years, continuing until she was almost 80 years old. She played at the Bible Church, First Baptist Church, the Houghton Lake Methodist Church, and St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church. Along with playing for the local churches, she also played piano for Jolly Mixers at the Houghton Lake Senior Center, the Sweet Adeline's women's choral group, Easter Cantatas, Christmas Specials, and for the school's Spring Follies. Doris was a gifted musician, painter, quilter, gardener, and an accomplished seamstress. She created numerous matching dresses for her daughters for Easter Sunday Services and costumes for all four of her children for Halloween and Christmas Pageants.

She especially enjoyed swimming in Higgins Lake with her grandchildren and summer boating excursions on Houghton Lake. She particularly loved family get-togethers at Deb and Chuck's house which always included campfires, s'mores, and fabulous fireworks displays. In her leisure time Doris loved spending time outdoors beautifying her yard with awesome flower gardens, bird baths, and colorful gazing balls. One of her most memorable vacations was a trip to the amazing music festival in New Orleans with her daughter, Sue, and granddaughter, Vanessa. She was also accompanied by her eldest son, Dan, and his wife, Michelle who had provided her with this wonderful experience that was her “dream of a lifetime”.

Doris was an integral part of her family's lives and although she will be dearly missed, has managed to leave them with a lifetime of precious memories.

Doris is survived by her children: Dan (Michelle) Mainprize, Deb (Chuck) Blackney, Sue Mainprize, and Ed (Karen) Mainprize.  Her grandchildren are: Michelle, Michael, and Melissa Defazio; Alan Blackney and Chad (Sabrina) Blackney (great-grandsons Tate and Ashton), Ben and Vanessa Boynton; David, Stephen, and Phillip Mainprize. There are many other beloved great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents James and Florence Humphrey, husband Donald Mainprize, grandson Marc Mainprize and ten siblings.

Funeral Services for Doris Olive Mainprize were conducted at 12:00 pm on Monday October 3, 2022 at Christler Funeral Home-Houghton Lake Chapel with Rev. Bryan Thompson officiating. Interment was in Roscommon Township Cemetery. Visitation was held on Monday October 3, 2022 from 10:00 am until the time of the service at the funeral home.

Christler Funeral Home-Houghton Lake Chapel is serving the family. Condolences can be sent to the family online at www.christler-holdship.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Doris O. (Humphrey) Mainprize, please visit our floral store.